Predictive Value of Laryngeal Penetration to Aspiration in a Cohort of Pediatric Patients.

Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) provide dynamic assessment of the phases of swallowing under fluoroscopic visualization and allow for identification of abnormalities in the process, such as laryngeal penetration and aspiration. While penetration and aspiration both reflect degrees of swallowing dysfunction, the predictive potential of penetration for subsequent aspiration is not fully elucidated in the pediatric population. As a result, management strategies for penetration vary widely.

A retrospective review of cyproheptadine for feeding intolerance in children less than three years of age: effects and side effects.

Aim: Premature infants and those with brain injury often suffer from feeding intolerance and vomiting in the first several years of life. Cyproheptadine is a medication with antihistaminergic, antiserotonergic and anticholinergic effects, thought to increase gastric accommodation. We aimed to retrospectively review our experience using cyproheptadine for feeding intolerance and/or vomiting in children under the age of three.

Impedance probe testing prior to pediatric airway reconstruction.

Objective: This study aimed to determine if preoperative impedance testing changed management and if testing was associated with surgical outcome in patients undergoing airway reconstruction.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients who had impedance testing prior to airway reconstruction at a tertiary pediatric hospital from January 2010 to September 2011. Charts were reviewed for demographics, medical/surgical history, impedance testing, and surgical outcomes.

Challenges in meeting fellowship procedural guidelines in pediatric therapeutic endoscopy and liver biopsy.

Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the opportunities for therapeutic endoscopy, liver biopsies, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placements available to fellows during a 3-year pediatric gastroenterology fellowship, and to evaluate access to ancillary procedural-training opportunities.

Methods: Data were collected from 12 pediatric gastroenterology fellowship programs in the United States. Procedures completed in the years 2009-2011 were queried using CPT codes and endoscopy databases.

Eosinophilic esophagitis in infants and toddlers.

Feeding refusal is often described in conjunction with the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) in pediatric patients; however, there are little data regarding the specific clinical manifestations and effective management of this condition in very young children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presentation of EE in infants and toddlers referred to the Interdisciplinary Feeding Team Clinic of a tertiary referral center and to document responses to treatment. Database matching was performed (from January 2000 to June 2003) to identify infants and toddlers diagnosed with EE who had been referred to the Interdisciplinary Feeding Team Clinic.